Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority

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Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Farm Safety Action Plan
              2016-2018

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Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Our Vision:
healthy, safe and
productive lives
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Table of Contents

Foreword from Chairperson........................................................................................................... 02

Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 03

Review of health and safety in agriculture.................................................................................... 03

Review of Farm Safety Action Plan (2013–2015)........................................................................ 06

Farm Safety Action Plan Goals (2016–2018)............................................................................... 09

Actions to meet goals for Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)........................................... 10

APPENDIX 1 – Terms of reference of Farm Safety Partnership............................................. 21

APPENDIX 2 – Membership of Farm Safety Partnership......................................................... 22

APPENDIX 3 – Working groups..................................................................................................... 23

Published in 2016 by the Health and Safety Authority, The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1.
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Foreword from Chairperson                                                       will be a key part of
                                                                                    achieving a sustained
    The agriculture sector, which is one of the most                                reduction in the rate
    hazardous sectors globally, continues to have                                   of these fatal and
    a poor occupational safety and health record.                                   serious injuries in the
    Each year fatalities in the sector account for                                  sector.
    between 30% and 50% of all workplace deaths,
    while farms make up just 6% of workplaces.                                       Farm safety is not
    Approximately 2,500 non-fatal incidents                                          just an Irish issue; it
    causing injury take place annually on Irish farms.   is also a European issue. While there is some
    (Teagasc, National Farm Survey, 2011).               cooperation on the island of Ireland and in the
                                                         Nordic region, there is little at a European level.
    Farm injuries and ill health cause much suffering    A greater sharing of information, particularly
    to farm families and can also lead to significant    in researching best approaches, should be
    farm business losses. Research has shown that        supported.
    farm family members suffer over 90% of injuries
    on farms. Most injuries actually occur in the        The Farm Safety Partnership is now introducing
    farmyard and most are predictable and indeed         this new three-year plan. The overall objective
    preventable.                                         of the plan is to reduce the level of fatalities,
                                                         ill health and serious injuries in the agriculture
    The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory                 sector.
    Committee, an advisory committee to the
    Board of the Health and Safety Authority, has        The Farm Safety Partnership has set itself six
    made considerable progress in raising awareness      goals, to be achieved between 2016 and 2018.
    of farm safety. There is also recognition that       Actions to achieve these goals are set out in
    safety standards across the sector show signs        this plan.
    of improvement. However, progress in reducing
    the overall rate of fatal and serious injuries on
    farms has been slow. Achieving a cultural change     Prof James Phelan, Chairperson

2   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Introduction                                       Review of health and safety in
The Farm Safety Action Plan (2013–2015)
                                                   agriculture
was developed by the Farm Safety Partnership       Fatal accidents
Advisory Committee, an advisory committee
                                                   The Census of Agriculture 2010 estimated
of the Board of the Health and Safety Authority,
                                                   there were 139,829 active farms in Ireland in
and sets out the goals and associated actions in
                                                   2010. (Source: CSO – Census of Agriculture
relation to improving occupational safety and
                                                   2010).
health in agriculture. The new Plan (2016–2018)
builds on the achievements and actions of the      In total it is estimated that approximately
previous plans.                                    500,000 persons are exposed to health and
                                                   safety risks on Irish farms.
The agricultural sector has entered a positive
expansion phase and provides an important          Fatal accidents in agriculture and forestry
contribution to Ireland’s economy. However,        sectors in the last five years:
this sector faces significant challenges in the
                                                      2011                     22
achievement of the necessary improvements
in occupational safety and health standards.          2012                     21
Tractors and machinery and incidents involving
livestock are the areas of greatest concern and       2013                     16
will be a central focus in this new plan.             2014                     30

                                                      2015                     19

                                                   The most recent figures available show that the
                                                   rate of fatalities for all sectors of our economy
                                                   is 2.5 per 100,000. The rate for construction
                                                   is 9 per 100,000, while the rate for agriculture
                                                   is 13.0 per 100,000. The average rate of farm
                                                   fatalities is said to be 12.0 per 100,000 in the
                                                   EU; however, this is based on quite limited data.
                                                   The rate is up to 30.0 per 100,000 in some
                                                   parts of the USA.

                                                                               Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   3
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
20

                                                                              15

                                                                              10

                                                                                5

                                                                                0
        The major causes of farm deaths have remained                       Looking at the months of the year and accident
                                                                                  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
        consistent for many years.                                          frequency, June and July are the two that stand
                                                                            out with the most accidents.          Total
        Figure 1 outlines the major causes of farm
        deaths in the latest 10-year period (2006–                          Age is a major contributory factorChildren
                                                                                                                 in farm
                                                                                                          Older Farmers
        2015).                                                              accidents in Ireland (both fatal and non-fatal),
                                                                            with the average age of an IrishAged   17-64
                                                                                                              farmer  now
                                                                               Figure 1: Fatalstanding  at 57
                                                                                                 Accident      years.
                                                                                                            Trends
                                         Electrocution,   Others, 4,2%
                                             3, 2%                                               Examination of fatal accidents
                        Timber-related,                                                          on farms over the more
                           13, 7%
                                                                                                 recent 5-year period (2008–
%
            Falling objects,                                                                     2014) showed that fatalities
           collapses, 14, 7%                                                  Tractors, farm
                                                                             vehicles, 57,29%
                                                                                                 to farmers in the 45–64 age
                                                                                                 bracket to be much more
        Falls from height,
              20, 10%                                                                            pronounced than the long-
                                                                                                 term average from the longer
         Drowning/gas,                                                                           period of 1993–2014 (See
                                                                         Machinery,
            20, 10%
                                                                          37, 19%                Figure 2 below).

                                  Livestock
                                   26, 14%

        Total: 194

        Figure 1: Causes of farm deaths in the 10-year
        period (2006–2015)                                                 10.0%

        (Source: Health and Safety Authority)                               8.0%

                                                                            6.0%
        Deaths in agriculture, unlike many other sectors,
                                                                            4.0%
        generally involve either the farmer or family
        members, and this includes children and elderly
                                                                            2.0%
        persons.
                                                                            0.0%
        A recent analysis of the fatal accidents from                                  0-14      15-29       30-44   45-64    65+yrs
                                                                                        yrs       yrs         yrs     yrs       yrs
        1993 to 2014 found that the majority of fatal
        accidents occurred between 9am and 6pm                                          1993 -2014 average            2008-2014 average

        with the majority occurring between 11am
        and 12pm.                                                           Figure 2: Average annual fatality rate
        Another notable pattern is the day of the week.                     (1993-2014 and 2008-2014)
        Most accidents happen on a Friday, followed by                      (Source: Teagasc, 2015)
        Saturday and Sunday.

    4   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Timber-related,
                                                                                                                 13, 7%

                                                                                                     Falling objects,
                                                                                                    collapses, 14, 7%

                                                                                                   Falls from height,
                                                                                                         20, 10%

         Injury and illness in agriculture                               Occupational ill health Drowning/gas,
                                                                                                    20, 10%

         Statistics relating to injury and illness are                   There are many risks to health in farming.
                                                                                                               Livestock
         difficult to compile. This is due to the gross                  Farming as an occupation predisposes   26,people
                                                                                                                   14%
         under-reporting of farm accidents and injuries                  to health problems. The principal causes of ill
         by farmers, despite the legal obligation to do                  health in farming are musculoskeletal conditions,
         so. The 2011 National Farm Survey indicated                     skin and respiratory diseases and hearing
         that farm injuries have increased by 35%, with                  damage from noise exposure. Lifestyle diseases
         2,459 injuries per 100,000 farms reported for                   such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes type
         the year 2010 compared to the previous survey                   2 and hypertension are common in today’s
         estimate of 1,815 per 100,000 for 2006.                         society. Recent Irish research found that farmers
                                                                         are disproportionately affected by lifestyle
         As indicated in Figure 3 below, farms with
                                                                         diseases.
         ‘dairying’ (11%), ‘dairying and other livestock’
         (12.9%) and ‘sheep’ (10.9%) all reported higher                 The Centre of Men’s Health, at the Institute
         rates of injury than ‘sucklers’ (6.1%), ‘drystock’              of Technology Carlow and the Irish Heart
         (6.1%) and ‘tillage’ farms (6.7%).                              Foundation funded a Master’s research assessing
                                                                         the effectiveness of a health promotion initiative
                                                                         targeted at Irish farmers.
                14
                                                                         The findings of the research point to a need for
                12
                                                                         an increased focus on local follow-up supports
                                                                         which prompt farmers to make more effective
% injury rate

                10

                8                                                        use of health services and enable them to make
                6                                                        changes to lifestyle and health behaviours.
                4

                2

                0
                     Dairy    Dairy & Sheep   Suckler Drystock Tillage
                                other
                             livestock

         Figure 3: Injury rate for various enterprises
         (Teagasc, National Farm Survey, 2011)

                                                                                                      Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   5
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
Review of Farm Safety Action                         fatal farm accident, has contributed greatly to
                                                         the importance attributed to farm safety.
    Plan 2013–2015
                                                       • FBD Insurance have set up a ‘Champions
    The Farm Safety Partnership has met 14 times         for Change’ campaign aimed at creating a
    over a three year period since 2013.                 nationwide community of interest, discussion
    The Farm Safety Action Plan 2013–2015 set            and support around the farm safety issue
    out five goals under which a total of 40 actions     using digital technology.
    were listed. On review of these, 37 of the         • The IFA launched a ’Save Lives’ campaign to
    actions have achieved satisfactory outcomes.         encourage farmers to change their working
    Work on the three remaining actions has              practices, to be more responsive to the
    commenced, and completion of these will              potential dangers and to take preventative
    carry over to the new Farm Safety Action Plan        action to reduce the risks.
    2016–2018.
                                                       • The Department of Agriculture, Food and
    Some of the key actions and achievements have        Marine (DAFM) has incorporated mandatory
    included:                                            farm safety training as a condition of TAMSII
    • The level of awareness of farm safety              grant schemes. This is a most welcome
      amongst farmers and the farming community          development in the support available to
      has undergone a significant increase in the        farmers to enable improvements to be made
      last three years. This has been achieved           to their safety facilities.
      through focused campaigns in the media and       • In another significant development, the
      amongst the farming community.                     Department of Agriculture, Food and
    • Many farming organisations have undertaken         the Marine has also made dealing with
      farm safety awareness initiatives without          occupational health and safety a mandatory
      need for HSA support. In particular                element in all new knowledge transfer
      the foundation of the Embrace FARM                 groups. Facilitators of these groups will be
      organisation, which gives support to               provided with support to deliver practical
      bereaved members of families following a           occupational safety and health knowledge.

6   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
• The level of farm safety visits of farms         • The Farm Safety Partnership has been
  carried out by inspectors of the Health and        acknowledged for providing farm safety
  Safety Authority has doubled to 2,300 per          exhibits and bringing the farm safety
  annum, in comparison with previous farm            message to major agricultural shows. Exhibits
  safety action plans. Furthermore, the benefits     were provided at the Tullamore Show, the
  of such farm safety visits (inspections) have      Moorepark dairy event, the Athenry sheep
  been widely acknowledged by farmers, farm          event and the farm machinery show. A
  organisations and also by ESRI research.           major exhibit was provided annually at the
  The farm safety visits (inspections) have          National Ploughing Championships, which
  indicated an increased level of compliance,        incorporated farm safety demonstrations
  with a good response to corrective actions         that attracted huge interest.
  highlighted during the visit. A two-weekly
                                                   • Online resources for farm safety have been
  farm safety campaign was held each April
                                                     increased. The online COP/risk assessment
  using a combination of farm safety visits
                                                     facility has been updated and while the
  (inspections) and media to monitor and
                                                     number of farmers using the online facility
  highlight the current state of farm safety
                                                     has increased, more utilisation is required.
  compliance.
                                                     The provision of eLearning courses on
• The amount of information resources on             farm safety through the HSA’s eLearning
  farm safety has been increased substantially.      portal www.hsalearning.ie is a significant
  New DVDs, videos and survivor stories have         development, especially for the engagement
  been published. Additional guidance and            of children in farm safety and the online
  information sheets have been published and         slurry-handling course.
  made available on websites of the HSA and
                                                   • Initiatives have been made by several FSPAC
  members of the Farm Safety Partnership.
                                                     member organisations to engage children
• A collection of all farm safety information        and young persons in farm safety awareness,
  published by the HSA, including farm               including applications through social media
  safety videos, have been compiled into a           and multimedia competitions for post-
  16Gb USB memory stick titled ‘Your Key             primary schools.
  to Farm Safety’. The initiative was jointly
                                                   • The partners have supported the extensive
  sponsored by DAFM and HSA and will
                                                     provision of farm safety awareness sessions
  enable access to these resources offline
                                                     in the agricultural colleges.
  and without necessity for a connection to
  the internet. These memory sticks will be        • A national farm safety conference has been
  made available predominately to facilitators       held annually to highlight current progress
  of discussion groups/knowledge transfer            and the challenges in the farm safety arena.
  groups, agricultural advisors, trainers and
                                                   • Research has been carried out on the
  agricultural colleges, with a limited amount
                                                     psycho-social factors influencing farmers risk-
  available to Farm Safety Partnership Advisory
                                                     taking behaviour, along with musculoskeletal
  Committee FSPAC member organisations.
                                                     disorders amongst farmers. Research work

                                                                               Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   7
Farm Safety Action Plan 2016-2018 - Health and Safety Authority
on technological solutions, including the         related organisations at farm safety meetings
         use of smart technologies to prevent farm         and events. Free health checks have
         accidents, is underway.                           been made available at many agricultural
                                                           shows. Information on mental health and
    • The risks associated with forestry work have
                                                           stress matters has also been supported.
      been highlighted at forestry events. New
                                                           A publication, Stay Fit for Farming, which
      guidance on farm forestry and chainsaw
                                                           addressed many farmers’ health issues, was
      competency was produced.
                                                           published.
    • A special emphasis has been placed on the
                                                         • A few actions which have not been
      risks to children and elderly on the farm.
                                                           completed include work with farm
      Farm safety information resources have been
                                                           machinery manufacturers to improve design
      circulated to all primary schools, in particular
                                                           and safety features, the development of
      the Agri Aware ‘Dig In’ pack and the Stay
                                                           DVDs on the five most common farming
      Safe on the Farm with Jessy book. The ‘Keep
                                                           health problems and for high-risk activities
      Safe on the Farm’ classroom e-learning
                                                           on farms. These actions will be brought
      resource for primary schools, available
                                                           forward for completion early in the new
      at www.hsalearning.ie is being strongly
                                                           plan.
      promoted by the HSA. Agri Aware also ran
      numerous farm safety competitions. Farm            A significant development over the period
      safety visits have been made to a number of        of the plan was the extent of farm safety
      rural schools by IFA representatives.              and health-related projects and initiatives
                                                         undertaken within the sector without
    • Farmers’ health issues have been highlighted
                                                         involvement of the Health and Safety Authority.
      through engagement of external health-

8   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Farm Safety Action Plan Goals (2016–2018)
The following are the six goals for the Farm
Safety Action Plan (2016–2018):

1. To achieve cultural behavioural change in      4. To establish initiatives to reduce the level of
   health and safety of persons working in           death and injuries arising from working with
   the agricultural sector through research,         livestock.
   education and training.
                                                  5. To ensure high standards of health and
2. To develop programmes that will foster            safety are adopted in forestry and timber
   innovative approaches and deliver                 work on farms.
   engineering solutions to reduce the risks to
                                                  6. To implement programmes for the
   persons working in agriculture.
                                                     protection of health and wellbeing of
3. To reduce the level of death and injury           persons, including vulnerable groups,
   arising from tractor and machinery use.           working in agriculture.

                                                                               Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   9
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

     Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan
     (2016–2018)
     The following are the series of actions to achieve the goals of the action plan.

          1.        To achieve cultural behavioural change in health and safety of persons
                    working in the agricultural sector through research, education and
                    training.

                   (Working group leaders FBD/ Teagasc)

         Objective                             Actions

         1.1         Undertake                 Appointment of new FBD farm safety lecturer in University
                     behavioural-based         College Dublin.
                     research to tackle
                                               Annual farm safety attitude and behaviour-based survey of Irish
                     high-risk activities in
                                               farmers to be carried out.
                     agriculture.
                                               Identify, initiate, drive and support research such as Masters or
                                               PhD studies in critical areas.

                                               Include farm safety element in the National Farm Survey 2016
                                               (Teagasc).

                                               ESRI to carry out further research using the GL Noble Denton
                                               report on Determining Underlying Psycho-social Factors
                                               Influencing Farmers’ Risk-related Behaviours (Both Positively and
                                               Negatively) in the Republic of Ireland.

                                               Identify, initiate, drive and support research for technological
                                               solutions with Telecommunications Software & Systems Group
                                               (TSSG), WIT and other institutions.

                                               Carry out research on information gathered from HSA farm
                                               safety visits (inspections) and fatal accident investigations.

         1.2         Ensure focused            Review, update and promote the farm safety COP as the
                     training and education    foundation document for farm health and safety.
                     for health and safety
                                               Continue to promote and provide training on the farm safety
                     on farms is made
                                               risk assessment.
                     available.

10   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

Objective                     Actions

                              Promote the use of contracting and employing additional labour
                              units to manage periods of high workload.

                              Engagement with discussion group/knowledge transfer model to
                              address farm safety.

                              Promote Farmer to Farmer mentoring/support systems.

                              Promote the safety elements of pesticide training and sprayer
                              testing.

                              Maintain and update farm safety module delivered as part of all
                              Green Cert agricultural courses.

                              Maintain and further develop the farm safety module delivered
                              at UCD.

                              ‘Champions for Change’ farm safety seminars to be delivered to
                              all agricultural colleges annually.

                              Drive and support the inclusion of health and safety as a
                              component of the Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science
                              syllabus.

                              Influence future EU policy to include health and safety training
                              as a requirement of future EU-funded schemes.

                              Continue to develop and promote online courses on farm
                              safety for use in primary and post-primary education and for
                              inclusion in national farm safety training programmes on the
                              Authority’s e-learning portal www.hsalearning.ie.

                              Work with Embrace FARM, GAA and other relevant
                              organisations to promote health and safety on farms.

1.3   Ensure focused media    Initiate, drive and support farm safety media campaigns
      campaigns in relation   in national and local media, including an all-island focused
      to farm safety risks    campaign.
      and behaviours are
                              Promote and encourage good farm safety behaviours,
      undertaken.
                              particularly around tractors and machinery, livestock, slurry, and
                              work at height.

                                                                             Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   11
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

         Objective                             Actions

                                               Expand communication and participation of farmers in the
                                               FBD ‘Champions for Change’ campaign (CFC), incorporating,
                                               for example, the CFC microsite, CFC partners and CFC
                                               Champions.

                                               Increased farm safety messaging on good practices through farm
                                               media.

         1.4         Adopt regular             Devise and transmit monthly farm safety and health themes,
                     messaging on farm         through texts, email, and social media by FSP member
                     safety risks through      organisations.
                     social media, email
                                               Organise and run an annual national farm safety conference
                     and texting.
                                               on critical issues such as tractors and machinery, livestock and
                                               working at height.

                                               Provide farm safety exhibits at major national agricultural events.

         1.5         Support farm safety       Encourage farmers to avail and comply with the farm safety
                     conferences and           elements of the TAMS schemes.
                     seminars.
                                               Support Bord Bia quality schemes in ensuring improved
                     Support legislative and   occupational health and safety standards.
                     agricultural schemes
                                               Influence and support HSA compliance visits.
                     for farm safety
                     compliance.               Develop a simplified guide/leaflet to the Act and Regulations/
                                               COP showing the legislation that applies to farmers.

12   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

2.    To develop programmes that will foster innovative approaches and
      deliver engineering solutions to reduce the risks to persons working in
      agriculture.

      (Working group leaders DAFM/HSA)

Objective                     Actions

2.1   Develop guidance        Publish guidance on;
      on farm buildings,      • Slurry storage design and management
      incorporating good      • Farmyard design
      design for health and   • Farm building design
      safety.

2.2   Develop guidance        Publish guidance on the maintenance of farm buildings and
      on health and safety    structures.
      benefits of good
                              Publish an information sheet on inspection and maintenance of
      maintenance of
                              slatted units.
      farm buildings and
      structures.             Publish an information sheet on safety in roofwork in agriculture.

2.3   Develop guidance        Publish guidance on the selection and management of
      on selection of         contractors.
      contractors for work
      on the farm and
      building works.

2.4   Develop and support     Drive programmes to achieve annual awards for safety
      programmes for safety   innovations.
      innovations.

2.5   Develop a suite of      Publish details of approved farm safety warning signs.
      approved warning
      signs for farms.

                                                                            Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   13
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

          3.        To reduce the level of death and injury arising from tractor and
                    machinery use.

                   (Working group leaders FRS/PAC)

         Objective                              Actions

         3.1         Additional safety          Work with tractor /machinery manufacturers in ensuring that
                     controls fitted on all     tractors/machinery continue to be fitted with safety devices to
                     new tractors/self-         assist in safe operation.
                     propelled equipment.
                                                Further the application of technology in the safe use of
                                                machinery and attachments, including for instance seat belts,
                                                seat sensors, PTO stop buttons, raised hydraulic sensors/ alarms,
                                                hands-free devices.

         3.2         Promote safety             Work with the farming community to ensure that training is
                     training for all tractor   available for tractor and machinery operators.
                     drivers / machinery
                                                Ensure training is formal, practical and assisted by brochures and
                     operators.
                                                DVD as necessary.

                                                Promote existing guidance on the safe use of tractors and
                                                machinery on farms.

         3.3         Survey of tractor          Finalise and analyse the survey on tractors, machinery and farm
                     and machinery safety       equipment so that improvements are identified and actions
                     issues.                    taken.

         3.4         Prioritise safe            Use all forms of media to promote the safe use of tractors and
                     operation of tractors      machinery and the importance of applying best practice at all
                     and machinery              times, especially during busy periods.
                     through all media
                                                Use the major agricultural shows and events, wherever possible,
                     outlets.
                                                to demonstrate safe and best practices.

                                                Work with machinery groups to transmit the message of critical
                                                safety.

14   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

Objective                     Actions

                              Use text messages, newspaper articles, radio interviews etc.
                              to reinforce that farmers must always take care in using safe
                              practices when operating tractors and machinery.

3.5   Make available          Produce a source of tractor and machinery safety information
      relevant safety         material for farmers/tractor and machinery operators so they
      resource material on    can easily access, view or read up on what is required to keep
      tractor and machine     themselves and others safe while operating this equipment.
      safety to operators.
                              Develop pop-up farm safety messages and reminders on
                              websites when buyers are searching for tractors and machinery.

3.6   Ensure all tractors     Promote compliance with the new revised Standards for
      and machinery are       Agricultural Vehicles (RSA, effective 1st January 2016).
      compliant with
                              Consider the establishment of a mandatory safety test system
      relevant legislation.
                              for tractors.

                              Implement the requirements of the Child Safety Code of
                              Practice, particularly with regard to the prohibition on carrying
                              children under 7 years of age on tractors and farm machinery.

                                                                            Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   15
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

          4.        To establish initiatives to reduce the level of death and injuries arising
                    from working with livestock.

                   (Working group leaders Veterinary Ireland/FRS)

         Objective                             Actions

         4.1         Highlight the dangers     Produce advisory leaflets covering the following areas:
                     of working with
                                               • Safe handling of livestock
                     livestock.
                                               • Reading the danger signals of livestock
                                               • A guide for visitors to farms, particularly their
                                                 interactions with livestock
                                               •   Warning signs

                                               Promote safe systems of work and safe handling facilities for
                                               bulls and cows at calving.

                                               Promote the application of state-of-the-art livestock handling
                                               facilities at marts and lairages.

                                               Highlight the need for adequate livestock-handling facilities at
                                               out-farms, including rented lands.

         4.2         Create greater            Encourage the development of safety training courses for
                     competence of             livestock handling.
                     livestock handlers.
                                               Promote the dissemination of the DVD on livestock safety.

                                               Develop an information sheet specific to the risks of working
                                               with cows at calving.

         4.3         Highlight the             Promote the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) docility
                     importance of docility    scoring system.
                     in livestock.
                                               Promote and provide training on the star rating system as it
                                               relates to safe working with animals.

                                               Promote and provide training in the man-animal relationship
                                               (MAR) as it relates to safe working with animals.

16   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

5.    To ensure high standards of health and safety are adopted in forestry
      and timber work on farms.

      (Working group leaders Coillte/HSA)

Objective                         Actions

5.1    Highlight the role         Develop and deliver initiatives that will increase safety
       of the landowner in        awareness of farmers and landowners who own forests
       farming forestry.          covering the following topics:

                                  •         Preparing written risk assessments
                                  •         Selecting suitable equipment for the job
                                  •         Protecting public safety and health
                                  •         Setting out safe working procedures
                                  •         Ensuring operators are trained and competent
                                  •         Supervising and monitoring the work
                                  •         Ensuring safe loading and transport

5.2    Highlight particular       Increase awareness amongst forestry employers and workers of
       risks associated           the following risks areas:
       with forestry work
                                  •         Exclusion zones
       involving harvesters,
       forwarders and timber      •         Operator training
       haulage.                   •         Certification of machinery
                                  •         Requirements for checklists
                                  •         Loading and unloading

5.3    Increase awareness         Publish guidance on the obligations of the forestry works
       of health and              manager in regard to arrangements for the selection and
       competence in              monitoring of good health and safety standards of forestry
       regards to health          contractors.
       and safety obligations
       for the selection of
       forestry contractors.

                                                                                  Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   17
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

         Objective                           Actions

         5.4         Increased health and    Publish specific guidance covering the following aspects:
                     safety awareness and
                                             •      Basic chainsaw maintenance
                     training for chainsaw
                     operators.              •      Basic chainsaw felling and manual takedown
                                             •      Chainsaw snedding
                                             •      Chainsaw cross-cutting and manual stacking
                                             •      Chainsaw felling of large trees

                                             Promote and provide recognised training in safe use of
                                             chainsaws.

         5.5         Highlight the risks     Develop specific guidance on risks associated with electricity
                     to forestry workers     during tree-felling operations, incorporating the duties of the
                     associated with         landowner, forestry works manager and forestry contractor.
                     electricity during
                     tree-felling.

                     Raise awareness of

18   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

6.    To implement programmes for the protection of health and wellbeing
      of persons, including vulnerable groups, working in agriculture.

      (Working group leaders IFA/UCD)

Objective                       Actions

6.1   Raise awareness of        Include farmer health issues in all major national seminars and
      health issues currently   events.
      affecting persons
                                Reprint Fit for Farming, a health booklet for Irish farmers.
      working in agriculture.
                                Encourage first aid training and the development of an
                                emergency plan for farmers.

6.2   Monitor health status     Promote the provision of ‘health checks’ to visitors to the farm
      of those working in       safety stand at agricultural events.
      the sector.
                                Take action to establish the collection of data on accidents and
                                ill health in agriculture within the health service.

6.3   Improve farmer            Sponsor further research in the area of occupational health in
      knowledge on health.      agriculture.

                                Support research on farmers’ health in the following areas:
                                musculoskeletal disorders and noise-induced hearing loss.

                                Develop a DVD identifying the five most common farming
                                health problems and their prevention.

6.4   Promote stress            Produce a farmer self-assessment stress inventory and guidance
      management among          on stress management.
      farmers.

                                                                                Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   19
Actions to meet goals for the Farm Safety Action Plan (2016–2018)

         Objective                              Actions

         6.5         Promote health and         Encourage the provision of safe play areas for children on farms.
                     safety among children
                                                Develop, launch and distribute a DVD to deal with safety of
                     and young adults.
                                                children on farms.

                                                Develop an online resource that coordinates and promotes
                                                safety information and projects undertaken by children and
                                                young adults on farm safety.

                                                Run national farm safety competitions for primary and
                                                secondary schools.

                                                Visit primary and secondary schools to give safety talks and
                                                increase awareness of safe farming practices.

                                                Provide support to children and young adults developing farm
                                                safety projects.

                                                Develop media campaign, including social media, focusing on
                                                safety for children

                                                Encourage and support rural schools to use the www.
                                                hsalearning.ie tool and the Agri-Aware ‘Dig In’ pack.

                                                Encourage the continued take-up of tractor skills training by
                                                young persons.

         6.6         Develop campaign to        Target marts and other relevant agricultural events to promote
                     increase awareness of      health and safety to older farmers.
                     the health and safety
                                                Develop information sheets or guides to highlight the major risk
                     risks for older farmers.
                                                factor for older farmers.

                                                Encourage farm families and local communities to address the
                                                safety of older family members on the farm.

20   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
APPENDIX 1
                                        Terms of reference of Farm Safety Partnership

1. To identify and prioritise the key issues        5. To develop a national action programme,
   related to improving safety on Irish farms.         co-ordinating the actions of the
                                                       representative organisations and assigning
2. To identify the actions necessary to deal with      tasks.
   these issues.
                                                    6. To publicise, effect and monitor the
3. To establish working groups/sub-committees          programme.
   to assist in the achievement of the agreed
   goals.                                           7. To carry out appropriate research and liaise
                                                       with relevant agricultural organisations.
4. To set agreed targets for a reduction in
   injuries and an improvement in compliance        8. To report regularly and formally, at least
   with occupational safety and health in the          annually, to the Board of the Authority.
   sector.

                                                                                Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   21
APPENDIX 2
         Membership of Farm Safety Partnership

     Chairperson                                      -   Maura Canning
     Prof James Phelan,                                   Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA)
     HSA Board Member
                                                      -   Kiernan Thompson
     Vice Chairperson                                     Coillte
     Ciarán Roche
                                                      -   Eddie Punch
     FBD Insurance
                                                          Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA)
     Secretary
                                                      -   Dr Noel Richardson
     Maura Kavanagh
                                                          Carlow Institute of Technology (CIT)
     Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
                                                      -   Dr Aoife Osborne
     -     Jim Dockery
                                                          University College Dublin (UCD)
           Farm Relief Services Network (FRS)
                                                      -   Gerard Horgan
     -     Jacqueline Walsh
                                                          IOSH Rural Industries Section
           Macra na Feirme (MNF)
                                                      -   Pat Kirwan
     -     Dr John McNamara
                                                          Veterinary Ireland (VI)
           Teagasc
                                                      -   Ray Finn
     -     Dr Robert Leonard
                                                          Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI)
           Department of Agriculture, Food and the
           Marine (DAFM)                              -   Maria Daly
                                                          Agri Aware
     -     Tom Murphy
           Professional Agricultural Contractors of   -   Pat Griffin
           Ireland (PAC)                                  (HSA)
     -     Vincent Nally                              -   John Kennedy
           Irish Rural Link (IRL)                         (HSA)
     -     Willie O’Donoghue
           Irish Creamery Milk
           Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

22   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
APPENDIX 3
                                                                     Working groups

Leaders

GOAL 1                                      GOAL 4

To achieve cultural behavioural change in   To establish initiatives to reduce the level
health and safety of persons working in     of injuries arising from livestock.
the agricultural sector through research,
education and training.                     Pat Kirwan - VI
                                            Jim Dockery - FRS
Ciaran Roche - FBD
Dr John McNamara -Teagasc                   GOAL 5

GOAL 2                                      To ensure high standards of health and
                                            safety are adopted in forestry and timber
To develop programmes that will foster      work on farms.
innovative approaches and deliver
engineering solutions to reduce the risks   Kieran Thompson - Coillte
to persons working in agriculture.          John Kennedy - HSA

Dr Robert Leonard - DAFM
                                            GOAL 6
Pat Griffin - HSA

                                            To implement programmes for the
GOAL 3                                      protection of health and wellbeing of
                                            persons, including vulnerable groups,
To reduce the level of death and injury     working in agriculture.
arising from tractor and machinery use.
                                            Maura Canning - IFA
Jim Dockery - FRS                           Dr Aoife Osborne - UCD
Tom Murphy - PAC

                                                                        Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)   23
Notes

24   Farm Safety Action Plan (2016-2018)
healthy,
                            safe and
                           productive
                              lives
                          Health and Safety
                             Authority

ISBN: 978-1-84496-224-2                       HSA0445
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